Clothes washing machine



Dec. 26, 1961 J. BOCHAN CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 3, 1961 INVENTOR.

J'OHN BOCHAN HIS ATTORNEY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1961 v 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR. 10H N BOCH AN 41 il f il/L e HIS 'A'TTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,014,353 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE John Bochan,Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation ofNew York Filed Jan. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 80,497 17 Claims. (Cl. 68-4) Thisinvention relates to automatic clothes washing machines, and moreparticularly to an improved structure in such machines for eifecting thewashing of very small loads of clothing and of special delicate types ofclothing. This is a continuation in part of my application Serial No.6,037 filed February 1, 1960, now abandoned.

Automatic clothes washing machines customarily provide, in a clothesbasket adapted to hold several pounds of clothes, a sequence ofoperations in order to wash, rinse and dry the clothes in the basket.The sequence ordinarily includes a washing operation which, inverticalaxis type machines, is provided by an agitator movably arrangedwithin the basket; a first centrifugal liquid extraction operation inwhich the wash water is removed from the clothes by spinning the basket;a rinsing operation in which the clothes in the basket are rinsed inclean water; and a final centrifugal liquid extraction. operation inwhich the basket is spun to remove the rinse water from the clothes.Machines having this type of cycle, or a variation thereof, generallyproduce highly satisfactory results in that the clothes in the machinecome out properly cleaned and with a substantial part of the liquidremoved.

As stated, in order to have an adequate capacity the clothes-containingbasket must be large enough to accept several pounds of clothing,generally in the range of 8 to 12 pounds, and to contain them looselyenough so that a satisfactory washing effect will be obtained. Becauseof this prime factor, that of adequate clothes capacity, theclothes-containing basket presents some disadvantages when a very smallload of clothes is to be washed. This type of load may occur for variousreasons, but in particular it occurs with respect to delicate and daintygarments which constitute only a small part of the clothes which areworn and which should be washed by themselves and not with the othermajor part of the clothing, and with respect to clothes which are notcolorfast, ,such as some socks, and therefore would harm other clothingif washed with it.

One disadvantage which presents itself when very small loads are washedin the basket of a washingmachine is that the amount of water requiredfor washing a few small garments may be comparable to the amount ofwater used for washing several pounds of clothing.

This, of course, represents an inefficient use of water with a resultinghigh cost of water in consideration of the result being obtained. Also,there is the corollary that the greater the quantity of water used thegreater the quantity of detergent needed in order to eliect a properdetergent concentration in the water, and this too represents anincreased cost factor. Considerations such as these have quite often ledthe owners of domestic automatic clothes washing machines to do thewashing of small quantities of delicate garments by hand despite theavailability of the machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved automaticwashing machine wherein the washing of small quantities of clothing,especially of a delicate nature, is made possible withoutthe'requirement that a substantial amount of water be introduced intothe conventional clothes-receiving basket within which is contained theagitator of the machine.

A further object of my invention is to achieve the desired result offacilitating the washing of small quantities of clothing by providing aseparate small substantially imperforate basket secured on the agitatorof the machine so that the washing action within this small basket isobtained by the water movement resulting from the motion of the agitatorcarrying with itthe small basket.

Yet a further more specific object of my invention is to provide a smallbasket of the type mentioned above wherein the proper water level iscontinually maintained within the basket, regardless of the fact thatthe conventional clothes basket is not filled, by means of arecirculation system so that all water escaping from the small basket isreturned through the recirculation system into the small basket.

In one aspect of my invention, I provide a vertical axis Washing machinewhich has the conventional liquid and clothes containing means includingthe usual relatively large substantially imperforate liquid receptacle.An agitator is movably mounted and positioned to extend upwardly intothe receptacle and is powered so that it may be moved to effect awashing motion. On the agitator, there is positioned a relatively smallsubstantially imperforate basket which is movable with the agitator andwhich has overflow openings adjacent its top. The motion of the agitatorcarries with it the small basket and provides a motion of the liquid inthe basket which causes a suitable delicate type washing action.

To compensate for the inevitable escape of liquid which will result froma substantial amount of motion of the liquid container (in this case,the small basket), a liquid outlet is positioned to supply liquid to thebasket and pumping means are arranged so that liquid in the largereceptacle is pumped through the outlet into the basket. In view of theposition of the basket relative to the receptacle, all liquid escapingfrom the basket must necessarily pass into the receptacle, so that theliquid lost from the basket is thus returned to it, and the problem ofmaintaining an adequate amount of liquid in the basket without the needfor having a tub full of water surrounding the basket is solved.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thisspecification. The invention itself, however, both as to itsorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the follow ing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a clotheswashing machine including my invention, the view being partially brokenaway and partially in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuitsuitable for use with the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of asecond embodiment of the components of my invention;

FIGURE 4 is a View along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a view along line 55 in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, I have shown therein an agitator type clotheswashing machine 1 having a conventional basket or clothes receivingreceptacle 2 perforated over its side and bottom walls with perforations3 and disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 4. Tub 4 ismounted within an appearance cabinet 5 which includes a cover 6 hingedlymounted in the top portion 7 of the cabinet for providing access throughan opening 8 to the basket 2. At the center of the basket 2 there ispositioned a vertical axis agitator 9 which includes a center post 10and a plurality of curved water circulating .vanes 11 joined at theirlower ends by an outwardly flared skirt 12.

Both the clothes basket 2 and the agitator 9 are rotatably mounted. Thebasket is mounted on a flange 13 of a rotatable hub 14 and the agitator9 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through thehub 14 and through the center post and is secured to the agitator so asto drive it. During the cycle of operation of the machine 1, theagitator is first oscillated back and forth on its axis, i.e., in ahorizontal plane, within the basket to wash the clothese therein. Then,after a predetermined period of this washing action, the basket 2 isrotated at high speed to extract centrifngally the washing liquid fromthe clothes and discharge it to drain, as will be explained. Followingthis extraction operation a supply of clean liquid is introduced intothe basket for rinsing the clothes and the agitator is again oscillated,Finally, the basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract therinse water.

The basket 2 and agitator 9 may be driven by any suitable means as thedrive means form no part of the present invention. However, by way ofexample, I have shown them as driven from a reversible motor 15. Motor15 drives the basket and the agitator through a drive including a clutch16 which is mounted on the motor shaft. The clutch allows the motor tostart without a load and then to accept the load as it comes up tospeed. A suitable belt 17 transmits power to a transmission assembly 18through a pulley 19 Thus, depending upon the direction of motorrotation, pulley 19 of transmission 18 is driven in opposite directions.Preferably, as will be more fully explained herebelow, transmissionclutch 16 is also a two speed clutch, and a solenoid member 20 isprovided in order to achieve the two speed operation. Specifically, inthe illustrated machine, when solenoid 20 is deenergized clutch 16provides a direct drive between motor 15 and pulley 19, and whensolenoid 29 is energized clutch 16 provides a reduced speed drive topulley 19. A two speed clutch of this type, particularly suited for usein the illustrated machine, is described in detail and claimed in Patent2,869,699 issued to me on January 20, 1959 and assigned to GeneralElectric Company, assignee of the present invention.

The transmission 18 is so arranged that it supports and drives both theagitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 14. When motor 15 isrotated in one direction the transmission causes the agitator 9 tooscillate in a substantially horizontal plane within the basket 2.Conversely, when the motor 15 is driven in the opposite direction, thetransmission rotates the wash basket 2 and agitator 9 together at highspeed for centrifugal extraction. While the drive mechanism forms nopart of the invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,255 issued toJames R. Hubbard et al. on July 22, 1958 and owned by-the GeneralElectric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patentdiscloses in detail the structural. characteristics of a transmissionassembly suitable for usein the illustrated machine.

In order to introduce fresh water to the machine, asuitable conduit 21is provided having an outlet openinginto the tub 4 so that suitableWashing and rinsing liquid (normally water) may be introduced in thedesired quantities into the tub 4 and basket 2. It will, at this point,he noted that, in the preferred construction shown, the perforations 3of basket 2 cause the interior of the basket; to be in fullcommunication with that part of the tub which is exterior to basket 2sothat the liquid level in both the basket 2 and the tub 4 is the same;thus, as the water rises in one it will also rise in the other. Withthis type of structure, suitable means may thus be provided in the tubto determine when the appropriate water level. in the basket has beenreached. In the present case this structure is provided in aconventional manner by means of a tube 22 which extends from an opening23 adjacentthe bottom of tub 4 up to a pressure-sensitive water levelcontrol 24 which may be of the conventional type used extensively in,commercially available laundry machines at the present time.

In effect, in this type of water level control an electric switch isincluded in device 24 and the switch is operated in response to anincrease of the air within conduit 22, the increase in the air pressurecoming as a result of compression of the air by a rise in the level ofthe water in tub 4. A further conventional and commercially availableembodimentof level control 24 is the provision of means for varying thepoint at which the switch is closed by the air pressure so that any oneof several different air pressures may be selected for the closing ofthe switch. 'In this manner, different levels within tub 4 may beselected by movement of dial 25 to different positions. For purposeswhich are fully described herebelow, I prefer to use a four positioncontrol 24: one position provides a level which substantially fills thebasket 3; a second setting provides about two thirds of a. full basket;a third setting shuts off the incoming water when it reaches about halfthe height of basket 3; and the fourth level, which will be more fullydiscussed in connection with the explanation of FIGURE 2, shuts off theincoming water when it reaches a very low level in the tub which maywell not even rise to the. bottom of the basket.

In the direction of rotation which is provided for washing operations,the motor 15 drives a pump 26 through a flexible coupling 27 in theappropriate direction to discharge liquid from the bottom of tub 4 intoa conduit 28 which leads to a nozzle 29, Nozzle 29 is positionedrelative to a filtering'member 30 secured on the top of agitator 9 so asto be movable therewith so that liquid is recirculated by the pump 26 upthrough conduit 28 and out of nozzle 29 into the oscillating filter pan30. It will be observed that the filter pan has a substantial number ofsmall openings 31 formed therein so that the water coming from nozzle 29passes down through the openings. The filter pan 30 with its many smallopenings 31 and its upstanding side wall 32 causes the lint which isseparated from the clothes during the washing operation to be filteredout of the water and thus prevents it from being redeposited on theclothes. This type of structure is more fully described and claimed inPatent 2,481,979 issued to Russell H. Colley on September 13, 1949 andassigned to General Electric Company, owner of the present invention.

Also secured on the agitator 9 so as to move therewith is a clothescontaining basket 33 which is small relative to basket 2 and tub 4.Basket 33, except for overflow openings 34 adjacent the top thereof andone or more conevntional very small openings 34a which may be providedat the bottom thereof for removal of heavy soil, is imperforate. Thelower inner portion of the annular basket may be formed as shown at 35so as to accommodate the tops of the vanes 11 of the agitator; inaddition to providing small washing vanes within the basket itself, thispositions the basket securely on the agitator so that there will not beany relative rotation of the two.

Thebasket 33 ispositioned below filter pan 30 so that water which ispoured into the filter pan from nozzle 29 passes through the openings 31in the filter pan down into the basket 33. Thus, in effect, the filterpan effects a filtering action on the water prior to its entry into thebasket 33 and, in addition, forms a lid for the basket 33 for a purposewhich will be more clearly seen hereafter. Completing the description ofbasket 33, it is preferably provided with suitable fins or vanes 36 onthe inner surface of its outer wall, which vanes are formed so as toeffect a washing movement of the water within the basket 33 in responsetothe movement of the basket which is provided to it by its associationwith the agitator 9.

Filter pan 30 and basket 33 are, preferably, removably positioned onagitator 9 so that they may be removed when so desired (for instance,for the insertion of clothes into basket 2 and readily replaced on theagitator secured thereto so as to move therewith.

Completing the description of the structure shown in FIGURE 1, whenenough washing has been provided and it is intended to remove thewashing liquid from the clothes, the direction of rotation of motor 15is reversed. As described above, this causes the basket 2 and agitator 9to rotate together at a relatively high speed so as to centrifuge thewashing liquid out through openings 3. The washing liquid thus removedis caused by pump 26, rotating in the reverse direction to the previousrotation thereof, to discharge into a conduit 37. Conduit 37 is adaptedfor discharge to a stationary tub or drain line so that the pump iseffective to drain tub 4. While any suitable pump may be used fordraining purposes, the one generally described hereabove isrepresentative and is described in detail in Patent 2,883,843 issued tome on April 28, 1959, and assigned to General Electric Company, assigneeof the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown an electrical control systemfor the machine 1. It Will be understood that present day washers ofteninclude various improvements such as control panel lights, bleachdispenser controls, etc., which do not relate in any way to the presentinvention, and that to some extent these have been omit-ted for the sakeof simplicity and ease of understanding. In order to control thesequence of operation of washing machine 1, the circuit includes a timermotor 38 which drives a plurality of cams 39, 40, 4-1 and 42. Thesecams, during their rotation by the timer motor, actuate various switches(as will be described) so as to cause the machine to pass through anappropriate cycle of operations, first washing the clothes, nextextracting the water from them, then rinsing the clothes in clean water,and finally extracting the rinse water from the clothes.

The electric circuit as a whole is energized from a power supply (notshown) through a pair of conductors 43 and 44. Cam 3 9 controls a switch45 which includes contacts 46, 47 and 48. When the cam has assumed aposition where all three contacts are separated, machine 1 has beendisconnected from the power source and is inoperative. When operation ofmachine 1 is initiated, as will be explained below, switch 45 iscontrolled by cam 39 so that contacts 46 and 47 are engaged. When themain switch 49 is closed, power is then provided to the control circuitof the machine from conductor 43 through contacts 46 and 47. Fromcontact 47 the circuitextends through a conductor 59 and a manuallyoperable switch 51 to the control solenoid 52 of a hot water valve; alsofrom conductor 50, a circuit extends through a manually operable switch53 to a control solenoid 54 of a cold water valve. In addition, acircuit is completed from conductor 56 through a conductor 55 to aswitch arm 56 of a switch 57 controlled by the cam 40. When switch arm56 is in its up position, engaging contact 58, it completes a connectionfrom conductor 55 to the cold water solenoid 54. When the switch arm 56is in its down position, engaging contact 59, it completes a connectionfrom conductor 55 to the hot water solenoid 52. It will thus be seenthat when switches 51 and 53 are open energization of solenoids 52 and54 is under the control of switch 57; when switch 51 is closed, the hotwater solenoid is energized independently of the position of switch 57,and when switch 53 is closed the cold water solenoid is energizedindependently of the position of switch 57.

From the hot and cold water solenoids the energizing circuit extendsthrough a conductor 60 to a coil 61 of a relay '62, and then through themain winding 63 of motor 15 and a conventional motor protector 64 toconductor 65. The circuit is then completed through switch 66 controlledby cam 42, switch 49 and the conductor 44.

The motor :15 is of the conventionaltype which is provided with a startwinding 67 which assists the main winding 63 during the starting of themotor and is energized in parallel therewith. When a relatively highcurrent passes through the relay coil 61 it causes the relay contact 68to be closed and this then permits an energizing circuit for the startwinding to be completed in parallel with the main winding through acontact 69 of a switch generally indicated at 70, contact arm 71, therelay contact 68, the start winding 67, contact arm 72 of switch 70, andcontact 73 of the switch. A circuit is also completed in parallel withmotor 15 from conductor 60 through the timer motor 38.

The relay coil 61 is designed to close contact 68 when a relatively highcurrent, of the level demanded by the motor when the rotor is rotatingbelow a predetermined speed, is passing through it. At other times, whenthere is no current passing through the relay coil 61 or when thecurrent is below the required energizing level as is true at runningspeed of the motor, the contact 68 is open.

When the main winding 63 of motor 15 is in series with the valvesolenoids 54 and 52 as described, a much lower impedance is presented inthe circuit by the motor 15 than is presented by the valve solenoids. Asa result, the greater portion of the supply voltage is taken up acrossthe solenoids and relatively little across the motor. This causeswhichever of the solenoids is connected in the circuit to be energizedsufiiciently to open its associated water valve. As a result, water at asuitable temperature is admitted to the machine through conduit 21,motors 15 and 38 remaining inactive.

This action continues, with the circuitry thus arranged, so that thewater pours into the basket 2 and tub 4. Because of the perforations 3in the side of the basket the water rises in both basket and tub at thesame rate. As the head of water acting on the column of air trapped intube 22 increases, the pressure of this air increases until it actuatesthe switch 74 included in the control mechanism 24. It will be recalledthat mechanism 24 is adjustable to'four different positions, so that thedeenergiza tion of the solenoids 5t; and 54 and the starting of motors16 and 38 may be achieved at any one of four levels Within tub 4, threeof them providing various washing levels within the basket 2 and theother being substantially less than that required for any washing to beachieved within basket 2. This may be effective by any suitable means;for instance, as shown, dial 25 may rotate a cam 74a to four differentpositions so as to move a fixed contact 74b closer or farther from acontact 740 controlled by a diaphragm 74d responsive to the pressure intube 22.

Once the two motors 15 and 38 have been put into operation, then openingof switch 66 by cam 42 causes the drive motor 15 to cease operationwhile the timer continues to operate. When this occurs, the impedance ofmotor 33 is much greater than that of the valve solenoids so that ittakes up most of the supply voltage and continues in operation, leavingso little voltage across the solenoids that they do not operate theirrespective valves.

It will be observed that when switch arms 71 and 72 are moved by cam 41to engage contact 73 and a contact 75 respectively, the polarity of thestart Winding is reversed since the circuit from. conductor 60 thenproceeds through contact 75, contact arm 72, the start winding 67, relaycontact 68, contact arm 71, and contact 73 to the protective device 64and conductor 65. With motor .15 stopped, the reversal of switch 71 isefiective to cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction fromthat previously provided once the motor is started up again. In order toenergize motor 15 independently of the water level switch and the valvesolenoids during the next rotation of the motor (which, as explained,provides spin) cam 39 causes all three contacts 46, 47 and 48 of switch45 to be closed during the extraction or spin step so that power issupplied through contact 48 and conductor 60 to the motors directlyrather than through the water level switch and the valve'solenoids.

Operation of cams 3'9, 40, 4'1 and 4% by the timer motor 38 to actuateswitches 45, 5 7, '76 and 66 in a predetermined sequence thus eifectsthe basic washing operation by causing provision of a washing step(filling followed by oscillation of the agitator), a rinsing step(similar to the washing step), and suitable extraction steps (high speedrotation of the basket) after the washing and rinsing steps.

Prior to describing in full my innovation to the washing machine, and tofacilitate understanding the operation and advantages thereof, a fulloperation of machine 1 will be described in connection with the controlcircuit of FIGURE 2. At the beginning of any cycle, switch 49 is closedand cam 39 closes contacts 46 and 47 of switch 45. Also contacts 56 and59 of switch 5-7 are engaged, contact arms 71 and 72 of switch 70 are inthe position shown, and switch 66 is closed. With this arrangement,assuming both switches 51 and 53 to have been manually opened, the hotwater solenoid is energized to fill the machine with hot water untilcontrol 214 causes the closing: of water level switch 74. This in turnstarts the operation of the drive motor and the control motor to providea timed washing operation.

The washing operation is terminated by the opening of switch 66 todeenergize the main 'motor (but not the timer motor), and during thedeenergization of the main motor all three contacts 46, 47 and 48 ofswitch 45 are caused toengage, switch 70 has its position reversed, andswitch 66 is then closed to reenergize the drive motor which, because ofthe opposite connection of the start winding; starts up in the oppositedirection to provide a spin operation; At the end of the spin operation.the switch 66 is again opened, the switch '70 is returned to its firstposition, switch 45 is returned to its first position, and contacts 56and 58 of switch 57 are caused to engage. As a result, when switch 66-closes once more, the timer motor is deenergized, and the cold watersolenoid is energized to provide cold water into the machine until thewater level control switch 24 is tripped. At this time the control motorand the main motor start operation to provide the same type of agitatormotion asfor the washing operation. This then is followed in thesame-manner as the washing operation by deenergization of the main motorand the change in the switching appropriate to cause the final spinoperation, after which all the timer control switches are opened todeenergize the machine.

In order to attain maximum washing effectiveness with different types ofloads, the speed of oscillation of the agitator mechanism during thewashing and rinsing'steps may beprovided at either a high speed or a lowspeed, and the spin speed of the basket during spinning may also bevaried betweenhigh and low. As stated above, solenoid 20 is provided inconnection. with. clutch 16 in order to achieve the two output speeds ofthe clutch to provide for high and low speed agitation and high and lowspeed spin operations. A. manually operable switch 76 controls theagitation speed and a manually operatable switch 77 controls the spinspeed. When switch 76 is connected to contact 78-and conductor 79,solenoid 20 is not energized during agitation and consequently a highspeed agitation is provided; if switch member 76 engages contact 80 andconductor 65- the solenoid is energized during agitation, and a lowspeed agitation is provided. In the same manner, connection of switch 77with contact 81 and conductor 79 precludes energization of solenoid 20during spin and a high spin speed is provided, while connection ofswitch arm 77 to contact 82 causes energization of solenoid 20 duringspin anda low spin speed is provided. The precise manner in which thesetting of the switches 76 and 77 controls the energization of solenoid2 0 is described in substantial detail and is claimed. in copendingapplication Serial No. 627,821, now Patent No. 2,950,612, filed December12, 1956 by Wallace H. Henshaw on a Control System for Automatic WashingMachines, and assigned to General Electric Company, owner of the presentinvention. Accordingly, since it forms no part of the present invention,the precise'manner in which the control 8 of solenoid 2.0 is achievedwill not be further described herein.

Returning now primarily to consideration of FIGURE 1, it will berecalled that the control member 25 may be used to provide fourdifferent Water levels in tub 4, three of them being operative toprovide water within basket 2 and one of them being at such a low levelwithin tub 4 that there is insufficient water in basket 2 to provide anywashing action. This last low water level is provided when it is desiredto use the small basket 33 to wash a very small load, which generallyoccurs when delicate garments of the type which constitute a smallminority of all clothes Worn must be washed and there is an insufficientquantity to justify the use of the large basket 2. When such a load isto be washed, the small basket 33 is placed on the agitator mechanism asshown, and the filter pan 3% is then placed over the small basket so asto close the top thereof without preventing the provision of waterthereto through perforations 31 in the filter pan;

When the low level selected is reached, switch 74 closes and, asdescribed, motor 15 starts operation in the direction suitable formoving the agitator mechanism. As described this also causes pump 26 tooperate in the direction to pump water up through conduit 28 and outfrom nozzle 29 into the filter pan 30. This water then passes throughthe openings 31. in the filter pan and down into the basket 33containing a small load of delicate garments. Because basket 33 issubstantially imperforate the water quickly rises in basket 33regardless of the fact that the basket 2 does not have any water or hasvirtua=lly no water in it. The water continues to rise in the basket 33until it reaches substantially to the level of overflow outlets 34.Then, both because the water level is near the outlets 34 and beacuse ofthe substantial amount of movement of the the small basket 33 (since itis secured to the moving agitator), water flows out of the openings 34.This water then passes down into the large basket 2', and, because ofthe perforated nature of the large basket 2, back to the bottom of tub 4where the pump 26 again recirculates the water into the small basket 33.

It will be understood, at this point, that reference to the basket 33 asimperforate means, in effect, that the basket 33 issufficiently freefrom openings below the level of top openings 34, that it will holdliquid substantially up to the level of openings 34 when liquid is beingrecirculated from nozzle 29 as previously mentioned. In other words, thepresence of a conventional number'of openings (such as soil removalopening 34a) which, although they permit substantial leakage from basket33, do not prevent the liquid level from rapidly rising up close toopenings 34, does not detract from the imperforate nature of basket 33as meant in this context. On this point, it might be added, as anexample, that one practical structure for basket 33 has been found toinclude six openings 34a spaced about the bottom of basket 33, eachopening 34a being about Ms" in diameter.

Thus, for an exceedingly small load of clothes, a proper washing actionis obtained with a very small amount of water which, while it is lost ata relatively high rate through openings 34, is continually passedbackthrough the recirculation system so as to be filtered by filter pan30'and then returned to the basket 33. In this manner,. a highlysatisfactory washing action is obtained using the desired small quantityof water and detergent for the washing operation while at the same timeattaining the desired concentration of detergent needed for effectingproper cleansing.

It will be recognized that there are no moving parts within the basket33 but that the washing action is obtained because the entire clothesreceptacle is being oscillated back and forth by the agitator 9. Thewashing action obtained by the movement of the water may be enhanced byappropriate design of the fins 36 and of the fin portions 35 so as tocause the basket configuration'to cooperate to the maximum extent withthe particular type of motion provided. Thus, while the conventionaltype of agitator-in which an oscillating movement in a generallyhorizontal plane is provided is described for purposes of illustration,it will be recognized that different machines have agitators withdifferent types of motions. One type of-motion which occurs readily tomind is of the planetary type in which the entire agitator may be movedin an orbit either with or without rotation; in another, the agitatoroscillates at a rapid rate in a vertical direction rather than ahorizontal direction. It will be obvious that in both these cases theconfiguration of the interior of the basket may be formed so as. to-takemaximum advantage of the particular type of motion of the agitator onwhich the basket is mounted.

It will be observed that the filter pan which fits on top of the smallbasket 33 on the agitator is performing its known function, as describedin the aforementioned Colley patent, of filtering the lint from therecirculated water so that it does not pass back into the water whichcontacts the clothes. In addition, of course, it will be observed thatfilter pan 30 acts as a lid for basket 33, preventing excessivesplashing and retaining the clothes in the small basket both during thewashing operation and, more important, during the spin operation when,without some provision for retaining them, the clothes might be sweptout with the water over the edge of the basket. While, where a filtertype pan is not desired, it is possible to use conventional knownretaining means such as an overhang (as shown at 83 on basket 2), theuse of the filter pan for this purpose causes the filter pan to performa dual function thereby effecting substantial economy and improving theaction of the apparatus as a whole. In addition, there is an antisplashfeature which the filter pan provides by covering the entire top of thebasket 33; with some types of motion of the agitator, the amount ofsplash from basket 33 is within acceptable limits, but it is conceivablethat with some relatively violent types of motion of an agitator itwould be important that a complete lid such as that shown be provided.

It will be seen that with the pumping equipment at the bottom of tub 4,it is important that the basket 2 be perforated so that the waterflowing out of overflow openings 34 of basket 33 be able to pass downthrough the basket 2 into the tub 4 to be recirculated. If this were notso, the basket 2 would have to be filled to overflowing and the mainpurpose of the structure--to provide an excellent washing action withthe use of only small quantities of water and detergentwould be lost. Itwill, however, be recognized that a perforated basket of the particulartype shown is not of the essence and that where (as is shown), thepumping equipment is in the tub, any opening, whether it be one orseveral, in the basket 2 which permits the water to flow at a reasonablerate from the small basket 33 down to the bottom of tub 4 willconstitute the equivalent of the completely perforated basket 2 shown.Thus, it is readily conceivable that an imperforate basket of the typein use on many commercially provided machines could be provided with anopening at the bottom thereof and a plug provided for the opening sothat when a small load is to be washed in the basket 33 the plug can beremoved to permit the recirculation of a small quantity of water, andwhen a conventional load is to be washed in the machine the plug can bereplaced;

It will also be seen that the point of importance is to achieve propercommunication between the small basket 33 on the agitator and a pump forrecirculating the water into the basket. Thus, it will be readilyunderstood that in those types of machines (of which severalconventional specimens are commercially available) where the mainclothes containing basket may be substantially imperf'orate and therecirculation is achieved by pumping means, located in the agitatoritself, which pumps water from the bottom of the basket up through theagitator and out through openings near the top of the agitator into afilter pan or an equivalent structure, in effect in such a structure thebasket itself has become the equivalent of tub 4 in FIGURE 1 of thepresent structure. This holds true because the basket, together with thepumping means in the agitator, performs the same recirculating functionfor the small basket as do the tub and the pump 26 in the presentstructure.

Another point which will be clear is that, although a four levelpressure switch has been described for purposes of illustration, anydesired means of limiting the water input to a very low level may beused. For instance, in machines using a timed fill, a very limitedamount of time will be the equivalent of the low level settingdescribed. In fact, it readily comes to mind that a timed fill may beused for the washing of objects in the small basket, while in the sameWashing machine a pressure or level sensitive mechanism terminates thefill when the regular large basket is to be used for washing.

A further advantage of the structure described is that the small basketmay be utilized to wash a small load of delicate garments at the sametime that either a full or a partial load is beingwashed in the otherbasket. Thus, for instance, it is possible to fill the basket 33 withclothes at the same time that a small load is placed in basket 2, andthen, by setting the water .level control 24 so that it will terminatethe entry of water when the basket 2 is half full, efiect a washingoperation both in the small basket and in the main basket with completeseparation of the clothes. The water will be re circulated from the pumpZtithrough the filter pan into the small basket first, and will thenoverflow into the large basket and then be returned through the pump tothe filter pan once again.

Another substantial advantage of my invention is in the fact that, inmachines having two different agitation and spin speeds, the washingaction inthe small basket at low speed is so gentle, although effective,that garments which previously should not have been washed in the largebasket even'at low speed agitation, now can be machine-washed-in thesmall basket without fear of damage.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, there is described a modified formof the basket 33 which is particularly suitable for use where thesplashing which may occur as a result of the overflowing of waterthrough the openings 34 of FIGURE 1both during agitation and during thehigh speed spin operation-may be objectionable for some reason. In theembodiment of FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, like numerals are used to denote partsalready described in connection with FIGURE 1.

Basket 33 seats on agitator 9 in the same manner as previously so as tobe rotatable therewith, and is provided with the inside fin members 35and the outer fin members 36. Instead of the openings 34 of theembodiment of FIGURE 1, overflow during agitation is provided by formingthe center portion of basket 33 with ribs 86 which hold the basket 33 onthe agitator 9 so that it is movable with the agitator as before; ribs86 are separated by relatively thin sections 87 which are spaced fromthe agitator 9 so as to provide grooves 88. During washing and rinsing,that is, during oscillating movement of agitator 9, the water passingdown through the openings 31 of the filter pan 30 into basket 33overflows through the grooves 83; in this connection, it will be notedfrom FIGURES 3 and 4 that the top of section 85 of the basket where thegrooves are provided is spaced from the bottom of the filter pan so asto provide spaces 88a for the water to overflow. Water then may flowdown in the grooves 88 provided between the inner portion 85 of thebasket and the surface of agitator 9, and then back into the basket 2and tub 4 of FIGURE 1 in the same manner as previously.

The provision of this means of having the water overflow from the basketprevents any splash from occurring since the sides of the basket arethen completely imperforate even at the top in the area where, in FIGURE1, openings 34 are provided.

For the spin operation, the basket 33 of FIGURES 3, 4 and is provided onits outer wall 89 with relatively thick ribs 90 which extend up intoengagement with the underside of the flange 91 of the pan 30. Betweenthe several ribs 99, there is provided relatively thin sections 92 whichare spaced from the outer surface of the side 32 of the filter pan andwhich are short enough to leave a space 93 between the tops thereof andthe bottom of the flange 91 of the filter pan. In this manner, passages94 are provided between the thin sections 92 and the outer surface ofWall 32. During spinning of the basket, the water rises through thepassages 94 and then passes out through the openings 93. This providessuitable means of removing water during spin, and because openings 93are located substantially above openings 88a there is no water splashedout through the openings 93 during washing.

Thus, to summarize the main differentiating features of the structure ofFIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the openings 83a and grooves 88 provide for overflowof the Water from the basket 33 down into the basket 2 and tub 4 duringagitation without any splashing occurring, and the passages 94 andopenings 93 provide for removal of the water from the basket duringspin.

Apart from these two differentiating features, it will readily be seenthat the-basket 33 of FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 is substantially the same asthe basket 33 shown in FIGURE 1 and achieves the same advantages whenprovided, as intended, together with the other components of theinvention.

It will be seen from the foregoing that my invention provides a simplestructure for achieving an effective and completely automatic washing ofa small load of delicate articles in an economical manner;

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what atpresent are considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention,it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications, such as for instance (but not exclusively) thosesuggested above, may be made therein without departing from theinvention, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle; a movably mounted agitator extendingupwardly into said receptacle; means for effecting a washing motion ofsaid agitator; a relatively small substantially im perforate basketpositioned on said agitator and movable therewith, said basket havingoverflow openings-adjacent the top thereof; a liquid outlet meanspositioned to supply liquid. to said. basket; and pumping means arrangedto pump liquid from said receptacle out through said outlet means.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for effecting awashing motion of said agitator causes said agitator. to oscillate in asubstantially horizontal plane.

3. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle; a movably mounted agitator. extendingupwardly into said receptacle; means for effecting a washing'motion ofsaid agitator; a relatively small substantially imperforate basketpositioned on said agitator and movable therewith, said basket having,overflow openings adjacent the top thereof; means extendinginwardlyfromthe upper 1'2 edge of said basket thereby to prevent the flotationof clothes over the edge of saidbasket; a liquid outlet means positionedto supply liquid to said basket, and pumping means arranged to pumpliquid from said receptacle out through said outletmeans.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said means extendinginwardly from the edge of said basket comprises a perforated filter pancovering substantially the entire top of said basket, said outlet meansbeing positioned to supply liquid into said filter pan.

5. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising; liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle; a movably mounted agitator extendingupwardly into said receptacle; means for effecting a washing motion ofsaid agitator; a relatively small substantially imperforate annularbasket positioned on said agitator and movable therewith; meansextending inwardly from the upper edge of said basket thereby to preventthe flotation of clothes over the edge of said basket and comprising aperforated filter pan covering substantially the entire top of saidbasket; a liquid outlet means positioned to supply liquid into saidfilter pan; and pumping means arranged to pump liquid from saidreceptacle out through said outlet means; said basket having overflowopenings adjacent the top thereof and adjacent said agitator, saidbasket and said agitator cooperating to form between them downwardlyextending grooves leading from said overflow openings into saidreceptacle thereby to provide a passage for liquidto pass into saidreceptacle.

6. A-vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including an outer relatively largesubstantially imperforate liquid receptacle, and winner relatively largeperforated clothes receptacle; a movably mounted agitator extendingupwardlyinto said clothes receptacle; means for effecting a washingmotionof saidagitator; a relatively small substaqtially imperforatebasket positioned on said agitator and movable therewith, said baskethaving overflow openings adjacent the top thereof; a liquid outlet meanspositioned to supply liquid to said basket; and pumping means arrangedto pump liquid from said liquid receptacle out through said outletmeans.

7. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate outer liquid receptacle, and a relatively large perforatedclothes receptacle positioned within said liquid receptacle; a movablymounted agitator extending upwardly into said clothes receptacle; meansfor effecting a'washing motion of said agitator; a relatively smallsubstantially imperforate basket positioned on said agitator and movabletherewith, said basket having overflow openings adjacent the topthereof; means extending inwardly from the top edge of said basket abovesaid overflow openings in clothes retaining relationship to clotheswithin said backet; a liquid outlet means positioned to supply liquid tosaid basket; and pumping means arranged to pump liquid from said liquidreceptacle out through said outlet means.

8. The apparatus defined in claim'7 wherein said means extendinginwardly from the upper edge of said basket comprises a perforatedfilter pan covering the top of said basket, said outlet means beingpositioned to supply liquid into' said filter pan.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said means for effecting awashing motion of said agitator causes said agitator to oscillate in ahorizontal plane about its vertical axis.

10. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle; water. inlet means for providing freshwater into said receptacle; a movably-mountedagitator extending upwardlyinto said receptacle; means for effecting a washing motion of saidagitator; control means for terminating the flow 13 of water throughsaid inlet means and for starting the Washing motion of said agitatorafter a predetermined amount of water has flowed into said receptacle,means for adjusting said control means to a plurality of positions eachcausing a different predetermined amount of water in said receptacle tobe eifective to stop the'fiow of Water from said inlet means and startthe washing motion of said agitator; a relatively small substantiallyimperforate basket positioned on said agitator and movable therewith,said basket having overflow openings adjacent the top thereof; a liquidrecirculation outlet means positioned to supply liquid to said basket;and pumping means arranged to pump liquid from said receptacle outthrough said recirculation outlet means, said control means beingsettable to provide a relatively large amount of water When clothes areto be washed in-said liquid and clothes containing means and beingsettable to provide a relatively small amount of water when clothes areto be washed in said basket.

11. The apparatus defined in claim wherein said liquid and clothescontaining means also includes a relatively large perforated clothesreceptacle positioned within said liquid receptacle, said agitatorextending upwardly into said clothes receptacle.

'12. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle and a relatively large perforated clothesreceptacle positioned within said liquid receptacle; a movably mountedagitator extending upwardly into said clothes receptacle; means foreffecting high speed rotation of said clothes receptacle and saidagitator for the removal of liquid from clothes; means for effecting aWashing motion of said agitator; a relatively small substantiallyimperforate basket positioned on said agitator and movable therewith,said basket having overflow openings adjacent the top thereof; a liquidoutlet means positioned to supply liquid to said basket; and pumpingmeans arranged to pump liquid from said liquid receptacle out throughsaid outlet means during washing motion of said agitator.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 including means extending inwardlyfrom the upper edges of said basket and arranged to prevent theflotation of clothes over the edge of said basket.

14. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate liquid receptacle and a relatively large perforated clothesreceptacle positioned within said liquid receptacle; a movably mountedagitator extending upwardly into said clothes receptacle; means foreffecting high speed rotation of said clothes receptacle and saidagitator for the removal of liquid from clothes; means for effecting awashing motion of said agitator; a relatively small substantiallyimperforate annular basket positioned on said agitator and movabletherewith; means for preventing the flotation of clothes over the edgeof said basket comprising a perforated filter pan covering substantiallythe entire top of said basket; a liquid outlet means positioned tosupply liquid into said filter pan; and pumping means arranged to pumpliquid from said liquid receptacle out through said outlet means duringwashing motion of said agitator; said basket having overflow openingsadjacent the top thereof and adjacent said agitator, said basket havingan inner Wall secured on said agitator and formed to provide downwardlyextending grooves between itself and said agitator, said groovescommunicating with said overflow openings thereby to provide passage forliquid from said basket into said liquid receptacle, said basketincluding an outer wall in engagement with the underside of saidfilter'pan in a plurality of locations, the top of said outer wallcooperating with said filter pan between said plurality of locations toform open ended passages communicating with said basket at their lowerends and with said liquid receptacle at their upper ends for the passageof liquid from said basket into said liquid receptacle during high speedrotation of said clothes receptacle and said'agitator, the upper ends ofsaid passages being positioned substantially above said overflowopenings.

15. A vertical axis clothes washing machine comprising: liquid andclothes containing means including a relatively large substantiallyimperforate receptacle, and a relatively large perforated clothesreceptacle positioned within said receptacle; a movably mounted agitatorextending upwardly into said clothes receptacle; means for rotating saidclothes receptacle and said agitator at a relatively high speed; meansfor effecting a washing motion of said agitator; water inlet means forproviding fresh water to said liquid and clothes containing means;control means for terminating the fiow of Water from said inlet meansand for starting said means for effecting a washing motion of saidagitator, means for manually adjusting said control means to provide aplurality of different predetermined levels at which flow from saidinlet means is terminated and a washing motion of said agitator isstarted; a relatively small substantially imperforate basket positionedon said agitator and movable therewith, said basket having overflowopenings adjacent the top thereof; a liquid recirculation outlet meanspositioned to supply liquid through said basket; and pumping meansarranged to' pump liquid from said liquid receptacle through said outletmeans, said control means being settable to provide a relatively highpredetermined level when clothes are to be washed in said clothesreceptacle and settable to a relatively low liquid level when clothesare to be washed in said basket.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein means extending inwardlyfrom the upper edge of said basket and provided and positioned toprevent clothes from floating over the edge of said basket.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said means for effecting awashing motion of said agitator oscillates said agitator in a horizontalplane.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,930,243 Labisky Oct. 10, 1933 2,298,624 Labisky Oct. 13, 19422,869,344 Bochan Jan. 20, 1959 2,869,699 Bochan Jan. 20, '1959 2,909,051Altorfer Oct. 20, 1959

